Bone dry

Dry January. Don't get me started. I have indeed stopped drinking for a month, but as far as my poor skin is concerned, it's also dry January. Now that the temperatures are dropping and the heating knobs are being turned up, my poor cheeks are having a hard time. It almost doesn't matter what I put on it, it seems like my skin greedily absorbs everything just like a stoned teenager devours a jar of Nutella.

Through years of experience and a lot of trial and error, I have found a few remedies and products that work. So if you also suffer from a Serengeti-like skin, take advantage of it.

Vaseline

I once received this advice from Dr. Jetske Ultee. If your skin is in a state of emergency, apply a layer of Vaseline to your irritated face in the evening. Wipe it off quickly so no one sees your shiny face, but the next morning your skin feels reborn. You can also apply a very thin layer over your day cream on the driest spots during the day.

Exfoliate

If there are a lot of dead skin flakes on your skin, all those moisturizing ingredients get stuck there and your skin looks dull as well. My absolute favorite is The 10 Minute Peeling Mask from Soap Treatment Store. What I love about this is that it's a combination of acids and a good old scrub. I apply this twice a week in the morning before I shower. Let it sit until it starts to tingle and then wash the mask off with circular motions.

Mask

Once your skin is as fresh as a baby's bottom, you can use a nice rich mask. My absolute favorite is the Hydrating Mask from Dr. Hauschka and believe me: I have tried quite a few masks, this one really works against dryness. After using the mask, I enjoy its effects for days. I sometimes even sleep with it on, or I apply a super thin layer over my day cream.

Serum

This one is also very nice: the EGF Serum from Bioeffect. This stuff is made in Iceland and with their winters there, they understand very well what your skin needs. When I was recently in Reykjavik, I tried this brand in a store and fell in love immediately. It feels very soothing and it also seems to work against wrinkles and such, so what more could you want? It's just not cheap; 161 euros. A cheaper alternative is the hyaluronic acid serum from Paula’s Choice. You mix this into all your creams for a moisture infusion.

Toner

That EGF is apparently a thing, because my favorite toner is also called EGF. But this time it's from Dr.G. My beautician Joëlle (make an appointment with her, she has golden hands) works with this Korean brand. According to her, the Koreans are way ahead in skincare, so keep an eye on them. The nice thing about this toner is that it's a bit gel-like and super moisturizing. I almost never use foundation, so for me this is enough to cleanse my skin.

Cream

This cream is really ridiculously priced (321 euros), but if I win the lottery, I'm going to buy it: the Diamond Extreme Cream from Natura Bissé. When I was recently in Spain, there was a jar of this amazing stuff at the spa. Every time after swimming, I secretly applied it. My skin felt wonderfully soft and hydrated hours later, what am I saying?, even the next morning. Sinterklaas, can you hear me?

Then a few more tips:

– Place a bowl of water on the heater. Increasing the humidity in your home works wonders for your skin. It's a small effort and your skin will thank you.

– Drink less or no alcohol. Yes, I'm back to that dry January again. But now that I'm not drinking alcohol this month, I can see that my skin is really improving.

– Eat hydrating foods. Everyone always says you should drink plenty of water and that's true, but my skin doesn't thrive on that alone. Eat plenty of fatty fish and things like nuts and avocado. Also: blueberries. Your skin loves them.

– Don't use too much water. Don't take long showers and cleanse your face with a nice oil if you wear makeup.